Your Library Account
To login to the PrairieCat library catalog, click on “Login” in the upper right hand corner of the screen, then enter your library barcode number and PIN. The first time you login, enter the last 4 digits of your barcode number as your PIN. We strongly recommend that you change your PIN after your first login by using the Modify PIN option within My Account. You may view your library account, request items and renew your items. My Account gives you the ability to view your own record, including items checked out, overdue, fines or bills, and items you have requested.

Borrowing Privileges

A current PrairieCat library card issued by BHC is required to borrow materials from the library and use materials in the reserve collection. Current BHC students, faculty and staff may apply for a BHC library card at no charge at the Circulation Desk. If you live in an area taxed for public library service, you may apply for a card from that library so you can check out materials from the libraries listed below. Non-taxed residents will need to pay the annual non-resident fee for a library card. Please feel free to ask us about other ways to get the resources you need.

Books from the general collection = 3 weeks; limit of 6 items.
Renewals are permitted if not requested by another patron.

Reserve items = 2 hour, 24 hour, 2 day, 3 day or 7 day
(determined by the faculty member teaching the course)

Reference materials may be available for 24 or 48 hour loan with permission from a librarian.

Periodicals [except for the most recent issue] are available for 7 day loan.

Returning Items
Materials can be returned at the Circulation Desk or at the Book Depositories located by the entrance to the Library and by the east entrance to Building 1. With the exception of Reserve items, library materials may be returned at any library in the RAILS/Reaching Across Illinois Library System.

Lost cards: The patron is responsible for all materials checked out to his/her library card. A lost card should be reported immediately. Cost to replace a lost card is $2.

Fines and bills for lost or unreturned items will be entered on the student financial record at the College Business Office. A library card with delinquent fines or bills cannot be used to borrow materials from BHC or other libraries in the PrairieCat system.